Trekkup Dubai ✔

Welcome to the unknown paradise! From waterfalls in the middle of the jungle to banana-shaped beaches passing through a national park , these islands of the Gulf of Guinea boast of being one of the least visited places on the planet and of being that exotic destination and Paradise that you thought you could only dream of. It is the part of land closest to the center of the planet - coinciding with the passage of the Equator and very close to the zero meridian. Are you coming on a trip to a country so unusual that few manage to locate it on the map?

São Tomé marvels with their Portuguese colonial mix, beaches and the laid-back atmosphere in the Gulf of Guinea. To define themselves, Santotomenses use a very graphic expression, derived from Portuguese: they are leve-leve. That is, calm, relaxed. And it is that relaxation seems to preside over this country that is both the center and the end of the world.

It is not a tourist destination at all, despite how much it has to offer like wild postcard beaches. A very important portion of virgin forest, declared a Biosphere Reserve, with the Ôbo Natural Park as the main banner, numerous cocoa plantations or coffee (known as roças). A country with dazzling landscapes with incredible volcanic chimneys emerging in the middle of nowhere, a huge number of endemic animal and plant species, as well as others such as sea turtles, birds and whales, which are part of the objective of many nature lovers visiting the country.

The small country exhibits the traces of a troubled history that began when two Portuguese navigators landed in 1470 in this then deserted site. A story that is revealed to those who wander the streets of the capital (which is called, like the island, Santo Tomé).

The parallel architectures of this tiny city summarize the history of the country: some old wooden huts evoke the initial time, when the islands were populated by slaves brought from the mainland. Some colonial buildings with large wooden balconies recall the five centuries of colonization. Uniform, greyish apartment blocks hark back to the era of real socialism, from independence in 1975 to the political and economic liberalization of the early 1990s. Meanwhile, a few ultramodern buildings made of large glass point to the future.

The engine of the country's wealth and today constitutes one of its great cultural and tourist attractions: las roças. If it weren't for the insidious humidity, the visitor could have the sensation of landing on some sugar plantation in the Brazilian northeast: the same buildings with a colonial flavor, the same atmosphere of an old decayed empire. Also its train to transport the merchandise, as some old rails recall.

The most incredible landscapes on this side of the equator, with various reminiscences of films such as Jurassic Park, King Kong as well as others in which the jungle is the setting. To top it off with a tropical fruit market, canoes with freshly caught fish, the smiles of the happy people of the islands and a veritable swarm of children jumping into the river to play as if there were no tomorrow. São Tomé and Príncipe will fill many blank pages on your adventure notebook.

SEP 02 Departure to Accra, connecting flight to STP.
SEP 03 Lagoa Amelia hike 3hrs, Almada Negreiros, story of chocolate,
Cacau Espace.
SEP 04 Waterfall and channels crossing.
SEP 05 Santana Islet, overnight at beach resort.
SEP 06 Rolas Islet, departure to Accra.
SEP 07 Relax by the pool and departure home.

Activities: jungle trekking, swimming, boating, sightseeing.
Accommodation & meals: 4 star comfy forest lodge + seaside eco-lodge, hotel in Ghana - double sharing. Most of (fine) meals included, meals on transfers (Ghana).

Cost: AED 9110 AED all incl. flights to Sao Tome from Accra (Ghana). Flights to Ghana from your location excluded. Cost valid until AUG 25.
Past this date please inquire about cost and availability.

Emirates DXB - ACC at approx. 4,100 AED.
Specifically excluded: flights to Ghana, visas if any, meals in Ghana.

Visas: Sao Tome: entry permit + visa payable on arrival, Ghana transit visa on arrival.
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for crossing inter-african borders.

It is participant sole responsibility to assure admission to country of destination.

See yah in Green xx

If it wasn’t for the Baikal Lake in Siberia, Lake Tanganyika would be the deepest, longest, and oldest freshwater lake in the world! Fortunately, the weather is much more pleasant in Burundi, so second place suddenly doesn’t seem so bad.

Full of rare fish and myths, crocodiles, hippos and legends, the lake beckons travelers to this tiny African nation in search of unseen landscapes along hidden corners of the East African Rift.
Bordering Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania, Burundi’s natural landscape is nothing short of spectacular. From rolling mountain ranges to dense rain forests, glistening lakes and natural waterfalls, this place is yet another lesser-known African gem waiting to be discovered.

The capital, Bujumbura, is nestled on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and offers up some of the best inland beaches in Africa – complete with a vibrant night scene.

A former European colony (Belgian and German), Burundi gained its independence in 1962, and initially had a monarchy. However, a series of assassinations, coups and a general climate of regional instability culminated in the establishment of a republic and one-party state in 1966. It then descended into civil war from 1993 to 2005.

Yet despite its turbulent past, Burundi’s natural landscape remains a marvelous destination for the adventurous. It’s jungle rain forests at the Rusiza National Park and the Kibira National Park – less than 20km from the capital – promise sightings of colobus monkeys, rare chimpanzee species, peculiar birds, and butterflies.

Holding 15 percent of the Earth’s fresh water, Lake Tanganyika is believed to be 15 million years old – and covers an area of 34,000 square kilometers at a maximum depth of 1,500 meters. Forming Burundi’s natural border, the Lake’s waters also reach the shores of Tanzania, the DRC and Zambia.

While roughly 98 percent of the 250 cichlid fish species in Lake Tanganyika, are endemic – which also extends to many of the Lake’s invertebrates including mollusks, crabs, copepods, shrimp, jellyfish and more.

And if you’re lucky, we might even catch sight of the notorious man-eating crocodile, Gustave. Six metres long and weighting nearly 1,000 kgs, he’s said to have killed nearly 300 people from the banks of the Ruzizi River on the northern shores of Lake Tanganyika – best keep our distance then!

Day 1:
Transfer to lodge at the shores of the lake, check-in, rest and enjoy sunset at one of the largest African lakes.
Overnight in the lakeshore lodge.

Day 2:
After breakfast we will start with Rusizi National Park, across Bukeye and the vast tea plantations of TEZA. Continue drive to Gitega, the second town and political capital of Burundi. Visit a drum sanctuary at Gishora, to witness spectacular musical performance from the world famous Burundian drummers.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 3:
Start the day with Gitega National Museum. Further on the road and head to Karera waterfall and source of the Nile. Drive back to Bujumbura, with several stops on the way,
Overnight in the lakeshore lodge.

Day 4:
Our trip would not be completed without a visit at fishermen village. From here we head on to Unity monument, Belvedere Hill offering a nice view of the Lake and the city. Next is “Maison fleurie” (shops of souvenirs), pass by Buja Café. Relax at the beach before heading to airport.

Grade: Easy and relaxing

Meals and hotels: Comfy lodge and hotel - single rooms. Meals excluded.

Cost: 6380 AED including flights until SEP 06.

Specifically excluded:
Any expenses related to visa on arrival, meals.

Visa: Visa on arrival available for every passport.

See yah in Burundi x

Nestled just south of the Himalayas, Nepal is one of the world’s most famous ultimate outdoor-sports destinations. This country however, because of its proximity to the Earth’s Crown Chakra located in the Himalayas, offers powerful healing energy. On this weekend you will indulge in yoga, meditation, ancient healing practices and sightseeing, at the very heart of Tibetan Buddhism; leaving your mind, body and soul relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated.

This year Nepali women will celebrate the Teej Festival in Kathmandu on AUG 26th. The festival commemorates the reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, following the efforts of Parvati's female friend to help her unite with her beloved. During the festival celebrated by Hindu women all over Nepal, married women wear red saris, fast and pray for the good health and longevity of their husbands, and unmarried women pray for marrying ideal husbands.

Let's go!

Day 0 :: September 11 // Departure to Kathmandu
Meeting at airport for a direct flight to Kathmandu.
Arrival, immigration and overnight.

Day 1 :: September 12 // Wellness & Wonders
We’ll begin the day with a calming sunrise yoga session on the rooftop or in the garden, focusing on breath, strength, and inner peace, perfectly aligned with the spirit of Teej.

After breakfast, we’ll take a scenic drive to Chandragiri Hills, then ride a cable car up to the summit for sweeping Himalayan views and a peaceful Shiva temple.

In the afternoon, we’ll roll up our sleeves for a hands-on Momos - cooking class, learning to fold and steam Nepal’s favorite dumpling dish and of course, enjoying our handmade creations.

As the golden light of evening sets in, we’ll visit the majestic Bouddhanath Stupa, soaking in its spiritual atmosphere.
Boudhanath, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most imposing landmarks in Kathmandu. It is the largest stupa in the valley standing at 36-meters-high, dominating the skyline in this area. The stupa of Buddha is also one of the largest unique structures in the world, and with countless monasteries around it, Boudha is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.
From above, the Boudhanath stupa resembles a giant mandala, or diagram of the Buddhist cosmos, and as in all Tibetan mandalas, four of the Dhyani Buddhas mark the cardinal points, with the fifth, Vairocana, enshrined in the center (in the white hemisphere of the stupa).

In the evening traditional dinner in the hotel,
followed by night out in Thamel !!

Day 2 :: September 13 // Sound Therapy + Monkey Temple
We’ll start the day with Singing Bowl Therapy session.
Himalayan singing bowls are typically made up of a blend of various metals found throughout this region and are designed to be struck with mallets that accompany them. Once activated they emit deep vibrational tones to form unique musical sounds and frequencies with healing powers.
Sound therapy is used for deep relaxation, muscle regeneration, pain and anxiety relief and injury recovery, among many other things. The vibrations emit specific frequencies that have the power to unlock tension and release energy blockages within the body’s energy centres (chakras) and meridians to open energetic meridians to allow life energy to flow better – which manifests itself in physiological, psychological, and emotional healing.

Later, we will head to the Monkey Temple of Swayambhunath, one of the holiest Buddhist stupas in Nepal, with stunning panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley. In the evening, we’ll experience the optional ultimate in relaxation with a 90-minute Shirodhara session, an ancient Ayurvedic healing technique.
You can also hit the street of Thamel for some bargain shopping here.
Day 3 :: September 14 // Into Festive Spirit
Rising early once again for a yoga session, you will quickly notice that Today the city is alive with the colors and energy of Teej, Nepal’s beloved women’s festival dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Teej is more than just a festival, it’s a celebration of sisterhood, devotion, and feminine power. Across the country, women dressed in vibrant red saris gather to dance, sing, fast, and share stories, their hands adorned with henna and bangles.
Later, we’ll explore the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, then dive into the buzzing atmosphere of Ason Bazaar, the city’s oldest market. We’ll shop for Teej essentials like glass bangles, pote necklaces, and festive cosmetics, guided by locals and surrounded by laughter and music. In the evening, we’ll dress in red and enjoy a grand welcome dinner at Bhojan Griha, where we’ll experience a royal Nepali feast alongside traditional music and dance, ending the day in celebration and style.
Later, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight home, carrying with us warm memories and the vibrant spirit of Teej.

Level of difficulty: Easy and relaxing
Activities: Yoga, meditation, optional ayurvedic therapy, sightseeing UNESCO sites, celebrating ancient festival!
Accommodation & meals: 4 star hotel, double sharing. Meals included, except dinner on DAY 3.

Cost: 2550 AED excl. flights until SEP 09.
Optional Shirodhara at 380 AED extra.

Recommended flights: Flydubai at 1900 AED.
Excluded: Visa, insurance.

See yah at Teej x
Trekkup Crew

Turtles are no doubt the national animals of Oman. Those mysterious creatures are in fact air breathing reptiles and so they need to surface every couple of hours, depending on activity. A resting or sleeping turtle can remain underwater for 4-7 hours.

The green turtles - subject of our discovery, spend their whole life in the water. Only at the age of 37-40 yo, and only female turtles, crawl up the sand beaches to lay the eggs. This is an enormous effort to the animal which is not used to tis environment. You can probably only understand how difficult it is for them, when you see the female crawling back, without any energy left, back to the ocean, after only few hours spent on shore.

Adult green turtles are as big as 1.5 metres and weight upto 190 kg. Baby turtles are not bigger than 10cms and start their lives with the most dangerous journey - from the sands they were born at - to the sea. Most of them will do it at night, trying to avoid hungry foxes, crabs or birds.

There are plenty of other interesting aspects - for example gender of baby turtle depends on the sand temperature in which eggs are hatching. If sand temperature is less than 28C, those will be males, above 28C - females. Now just imagine, how global warming can reduce their population.

When the sand incubation of eggs comes to an end, baby turtles hatch and start their march to the sea creating emotional moments for cheering spectators!

We will have enough time to explore two of the most beautiful nature wonders nearby - Wadi Shabb and Bimah Sinkhole. Great for exploration in the spring/summer, with year round chill water, those two have been serving as a natural water park and inspiration for Wild Wadi alikes.